What is Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most c...
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Advice - Synthroid
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My husband was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and his doctor started him on Levothyroxine 0.15 mg once a day. He's 40 years old.He was a smoker for 20+ years,but stopped about 6 months ago. He has always had a touch of Asthma,but never has it been to the point that he's had to use an inhaler to get through,only once in a blue moon. He never did do that coughing up gunk,that some smokers do when they stop smoking. About a week after he started the Synthroid,he got a nasty cold. Got well with that,and it's been almost 5 weeks since he started the meds. He is still coughing,and it's so bad,he blacks out,and looses his breathe. He coughs when he laughs about things and he's is reaching for the Albuteral inhaler 3-4 times a night. We talked to his physician about this,and she seems to think we need to give the Synthroid more time to work.It's been close to 5 weeks. He wheezes and has a very hard time catching his breath just out of the blue-watching television,or just from lying in the bed,or walking from outside into a warm house.She did mention it could be COPD,or God forbid,Emphysemia.We have to wait until Nov.25 to go for an appointment for some type of lung test.He also has to go for some Xrays and labs. Anyways,anyone who has had any experience like this or could tell me anything about what to expect with this Levothyroxine,and is it normal to feel worse before you feel better? Sorry this is so long.
Posted on 11/02/09, 01:11 pm |
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I don't think it is common to get worse before you get better. It takes about 6 weeks to get full benefit of the medication and thryoid levels rise and fall so regular re-checks are a good idea. I slowly started feeling better with the meds. Good luck. 
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My husband has no thyroid problems but he does have chronic bronchitis, and has to use albuterol inhalers too.
I believe his father had the same thing. Runs in the family.
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Did they ever consider that he might have pneumonia or walking pneumonia? Why are they waiting soo long for a chest xray. If he's blacking out its serious, I dont want to worry you. Its just that if he is having that much trouble, it should not be taken so non-chalantly! Even if just for his quality of life. I would seriously suggest a second opinion.
In terms of the Levothyroxine it does take 6-8 weeks to work but, I have never heard of these types of symptoms at least this severe with hypthyroidism.
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I have been on synthroid for abot 10 years. I take 175 macagrams, which is 1 3/4 milligrams. I have never had any problems with synthroid. Have you looked this up on a medical site to see if this may be a side effect to synthroid? I hope you find the answers to your husband's problem. Im sure he must be very uncormfortable. Take care.
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Thanks to everyone replying. I actually have researched nonstop. The breathing issues can be a symptom of hypothroidism,and I forgot to mention,he has vasomotor rhinitis,too,bless his heart. He is a veteran,and no insurance,and he's not getting to work much these days,and he refuses to make other bills for us,so the VA is it.Dont know if anyone here has had to deal with the VA before,but our veterans should get so much better healthcare than they do! His doctor did listen to his lungs,and said they sounded clear,adn the wheezing does sound like it is coming from his throat,if thhat makes any sense at all. :\ I also read on here of people experiencing the bloating-he has that,and he's at his heaviest now.I know it's his thyroid,and he is so ashamed about it. I know once we get this straightened out,he'll lose the weight. I just want him to start to feel better.I hate seeing my honey suffer so much. :(
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Before I started on the Armour Thyroid I was coughing non-stop, couldn't laugh or talk or sing much. I could hardly walk from the car to the store and was dragging. I also had a hard time swallowing food. I know I had a goiter inside my throat because once I started on medication I do not cough any more and am not out of breath, can sing and swallow fine -- this has ALL gone away. It is like a true miracle and I am so thankful. Be persistant about getting him help---call, call, call and bug the dr office about it. The VA system is a good example of what national health care would be like---wait, wait, and not good care.
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Well,thanks again for everyone who responded. I called the VA doctor and reported his symptoms WERE listed in the medications side effects.The nurse came back on and said the doctor said the medication dosent cause those symtpoms. :\ I wont argue,but I will have him change doctors asap. There is another VA hospital/clinic about 45 minutes away from our home,so we will be going there asap. I feel this physician is not taking my husbands health care seriously. Thanks again for everyones responses.
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Could be the Yellow Dye Tartrazine causing the coughing. It is in many brands of levothyroxine. The 50 mg size tablet is usually dye free. Tartazine can cause or exacerbate asthma and rhinitis in people sensitive to it.
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Could your husband have environmental allergies? Or developed an allergy to something in your home? Also, alot of people who quit smoking will develop colds or bronchitis and sometimes pleurisy..this could go on for a year or so. It takes a long time for the lungs to be back to "normal" after you quit smoking (ex-smoker here). I did a little search and found this website with an article (the topic is totally not what you're looking for)but it had some very interesting info about coughing till you black out that might interest you.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/v...
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